Ice cuber



Aug. 1938- w. J. LA cAssE 2,127,262

ICE CUBER Filed July 14, 1937 Patented Aug. 16, 1 938 UNETED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE The Coolerator Company, Duluth, Minn, a

corporation of Minnesota Application July 14, 1937, Serial No. 153,525

9 Claims.

This invention relates to ice cubers of the type adapted to be placed upon a cake of ice to sink thereinto and thereby define regularly shaped knobs or projections in the ice cake which may be subsequently separated from the ice cake to afford regularly shaped ice cubes.

Heretofore it has been proposed to equip an ice cuber of the above described kind with a closed tank into which a fluid heating medium, such as water and preferably hot water, could be introduced to supply heat to a grid or other knob or projection forming arrangement to expedite sinking such an arrangement into the ice cake. In order to obtain efficient operation it is essential that there be good heat conductive relation between the tank and the grid, and heretofore such heat conductive relation has been established by firmly connecting the grid to the bottom of the tank. Such construction, however, entailed a multiplicity of joints which tended to increase the cost of manufacture of the cuber and was otherwise somewhat objectionable.

Hence, one of the important objects of this invention is to provide a. novel ice cuber in which the grid or other knob forming arrangement will be associated with the tank in such a way that the number of joints between the tank and grid will be reduced to a minimum.

Heat conduction past a joint is not as efficient as heat conduction along an uninterrupted" path and thus where a portion of the grid or other knob forming arrangement of an ice cuber is provided by a part or parts unitary with the tank and the remaining portion thereof is afforded by parts joined to the tank, the difference in heat conductivity of such portions may interfere with proper and efficient operation of the cuber.

Therefore still another important object of my invention is to so equalize the heat conductivity of the various portions of the grid or other knob forming part of a cuber that efiicient and positive operation will result.

Other and further objects of my invention are to facilitate the introduction of the heating medium into the tank or the like provided to receive the same; to insure against water or air being entrapped in the grid and thereby prevent the grid from properly sinking into the ice and to also prevent the formation of a vacuum in the grid when the cuber is raised after the knobs or projections have been formed on the block of ice; to substantially reduce the number of separate parts included in a cuber; and to provide a novel cuber of simple and economical construction and which will be efficient and positive in operation.

In the accompanying drawing wherein a preierred embodiment of my invention is illustrated,

Fig. 1 is a top perspective View of my novel cuber;

Fig. 2 is a bottom perspective view;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view wherein my cuber is illustrated in section and the operation of my cuber is illustrated; and

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional detail view taken substantially midway between the ends of the cuber.

My novel cuber, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, comprises a body 5 preferably formed from a single piece of sheet metal by a stamping or drawing operation into the form of a substantially rectangular pan embodying four upright walls unitary with an interconnecting wall extending substantially at right angles to the upright walls. This interconnecting wall, designated by 6, constitutes the top of my novel cuber and preferably the interconnection between this wall 6 andthe upright walls is rounded, as best illustrated in Fig. 4. A plate 1 is inserted into the pan so provided and is disposed in parallel but spaced relation with the wall 6. This plate is connected to the upright walls in a suitable manner as by being soldered or brazed thereto. The wall 6 and the plate 1 in cooperation with the portions of the upright wall therebetween define a closed tank 8.

As best illustrated in Fig. 1, the upper portion of one corner of the body 5 is preferably arranged at an inclination with respect to the wall 6 and the adjacent upright walls of said body to thereby provide an inclined flattened portion 9. A tapped opening I0 is provided in this flattened portion through which a fluid heating medium, such as water and preferably hot water, may be introduced into the tank 8. After such a heating medium has been introduced into the tank 8, the opening H] is closed by having the threaded stem portion of a cap ll fitted thereinto, a gasket l2 being disposed below the enlarged head of the cap II to prevent leakage.

The longer of the upright walls of the body 5 constitute the side walls I3 and M of my cuber while the shorter of the upright walls constitute the end walls l5 and i6 and the portions of the walls l3, l4, l5 and I6 which depend below the plate I constitute the outer walls of the grid or knob or projection forming portion of my novel cuber. In order that a multiplicity of smallregularly shaped knobs or projections may be one edge thereof.

'gular cuber formed by my cuber, the area enclosed by the walls I3, I4, I and I5 and disposed outwardly of the plate I is divided into .a plurality of substantially rectangular recesses by a longitudinally extending partition IT and a plurality of transversely extending partitions I8. Slots as l9 extend substantially half way across the partition I? at regular intervals from one edge thereof.

'Likewise, a slot as 20 extends substantially half way across each partition I8 substantially midway between the ends of each partition and from By aligning the slots 20 with the respective slots IS the partitions I1 and I8 may be interfitted together so that the opposite edges of the various partitions lie in parallel planes. After the partitions I1 and I8 have been so interfitted they are placed in the area enclosed by the walls; I3, I4, I5 and I5 with the partition I'I extending between the walls I5 and IS and the various partitions I8 extending between the walls I3 and I4 at regularly spaced intervals. The inwardly disposed edges of the partitions I? and I8 are rested against the underside of the plate 1 and are suitably connected thereto as by being soldered or brazed. Likewise, the ends of the partition II respectively abutting the walls I5 and I6 and the ends of the respective partitions I8 abutting the walls I3 and I4 are interconnected to said abutted walls as by being soldered or brazed.

It will thus be seen that by resort to the foregoing construction I provide a grid or knob or projection forming arrangement beneath the tank provided in my cuber. It will likewise be seen that the portionsof this grid are provided by parts unitary with the walls of the tank where as other portions are provided by parts joined to the tank. These parts of the grid which are unitary with the walls of the tank afford an uninterrupted path of heat travel whereas those parts which are joined to the tank by reason of the joint do not afiord an uninterrupted path of heat travel even though relatively good heat conductivity may be had through the joints.

I have found that in ,a substantially rectanof the kind which I illustrate in the drawing the just described difference in heat conductivity may tend to impair the operation of the cuber, for when the cuber is rested on an ice cake heat may not be conducted through the partition II as rapidly as through the walls l3 and I4 with the result that meltage may not take place as rapidly along the partition II as along the lower edges of the walls I3 and I4. This may result in the cuber rocking on the partition II to one side or the other which may result in its sinking unevenly into the ice cake. Inasmuch as the walls I5 and I6 are relatively short as are the partitions I8 and in 'view of the number of partitions I8 provided no difficulty has been experienced with the cuber tilting from end to end.

However, to overcome any tendency of the cuber to rock on a partition, such as the partition I1, I reduce the heat conductivity of the side walls I3 and I4 by providing openings as 2| in said walls. These openings 2| are so located in the walls I3 and I4 that they are aligned with the cubical recesses defined by the outer walls of the grid and the partitions therein, wherefore the heat conductivity through the walls I3 and I4 to be entrapped in the recesses to escape therefrom. These openings likewise permit any water that might be entrapped in the recesses to drain therefrom. I have found that by providing substantially crescent-shaped openings, as illustrated in the drawing, the attainment of all of the foregoing advantages is facilitated, which is to say, the reduction of heat conductivity of the side walls and the enabling of escape of water and air from the recesses is enhanced. If water and/ or air were permitted to accumulate in the recesses it might have the effect of cushioning the cuber and prevent it from sinking down into the ice properly. Furthermore, when the cuber is raised after use there might be a tendency to draw a vacuum in the recesses which would impair easy removal of the cuber, but the openings such as 2| prevent the drawing of such a vacuum.

In order to facilitate handling of the cuber, grooves as 22 are formed in those portions of the walls I3 and I4 constituting the side walls of the tank 8, and these grooves are defined by the inturned portions of said walls I3 and I4. These grooves facilitate gripping of the cuber and expedite installation on and removal of the cuber from an ice cake.

In use the tank 8 is filled with water and preferably hot water since this quickens the operation of the cuber. The cuber is then rested on the top of an ice cake and heat from such fluid heating medium in the tank l0 passes through the various parts of the grid to the portions of the ice cake upon which the edges of the grid are rested, whereupon meltage of the ice in alignment with these edges occurs and the cuber therestantially all of the heat in the fluid heatingmedium will have passed through the grid to the ice cake and therefore when the cuber has sunk into the ice cake in an amount sufficient to engage the plate 'I with the top of the ice no further meltage will occur. When the cuber has sunk into the ice cake in this amount it may be lifted off whereupon the longitudinal grooves as 23 and the transverse grooves as 24 formed by the various parts of the grids will define a plurality of knobs or projections 25 on the ice cake. Then by the use of an ice pick or an ice chipper these knobs or projections may be readily separated from the ice cake whereby regularly shaped ice efficient heat transference will be effected, whereby transference of heat through the walls pro-' viding the grid will take place instead of the heat transference being directly from the tank to the ice. So to do avoids rounding off the corners of the ice cubes formed on the ice cake and otherwise objectionable excessive meltage of the ice.

By providing the inclined wall 9 and locating the filling opening in this inclined wall the positioning of the cuber below a faucet or other source of hot water is facilitated which expedites filling the tank 8 with the fluid heating medium such as hot water.

As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, the one-piece substantially pan-shaped body affords economical manufacture and substantially reduces the number of parts required to produce the cuber, which insures more economical construction and efficient'and positive operation.

While Ihave illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of my invention it is to be understood that this is capable of variation and modification and I therefore do not wish to be.

limited to the precise details set forth but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

I claim:

1. An ice cuber adapted to form ice cubes on an ice cake and comprising a tank adapted to contain a fluid heating medium, the side and end Walls of said tank depending below the bottom thereof, and partitions extending between the depending portions of said therewith to provide a c partitions being joined to said bottom to insure eflicient heat transference therethrough to an ice cake from the fluid heating medium when said rid is rested on the ice cake, selected of the depending portions of said walls having openings therein to equalize heat transference through the depending portions and said partitions.

2. An ice cuber adapted to form ice cubes on an ice cake and comprising a one-piece substantially pan-shaped body having an open end, a plate in said body spaced from the open end thereof and cooperating therewith to provide a tank, said body having an opening therein through which a fluid heating medium may be introduced into said tank, and partitions extending between opposite walls of said body outwardly of said plate and cooperating with each other tank,

efficient heat transference therethrough from the the tank to an ice cake on which the free edges of said partitions are rested,

introduced into said tank, and partitions extending between opposite Walls of said body outwardly of said plate and cooperating with each other and said walls to provide a cube forming grid free edges of said partitions are rested, said walls also serving to transfer heat from said fluid heating medium to said ice cake when the free edges of said walls are rested on the ice cake along with the free edges of said partitions, selected of said walls having openings therein positioned to communicate with said recesses to permit the escape of air and water from said recesses during the operation of said cuber, said openings also serving to equalize the heat transference through said walls and said partitions to thereby insure proper operation of said cuber.

5. An ice cuber adapted to form ice cubes on an ice cake and comprising a one-piece substantially pan-shaped body having plate in said body spaced from the open end thereof and cooperating therewith to provide a tank, said body having a portion thereon at one corner thereof inclined relative to the adjacent means for closing said opening, and partitions extending between opposite walls of said body outwardly of said plate and cooperating with each other and said walls to provide a cube forming grid, said partitions being intimately connected to said plate to insure heat transference through said grid to an ice cake from the fluid heating medium in the tank when said grid is rested on the ice cake.

6. An ice cuber adapted to form ice cubes on an ice cake and comprising a one-piece substantially pan-shaped body having an open end, a plate in said body spaced from the open end thereof and cooperating therewith to provide a partitions to thereby insure proper operation of said cuber.

'7. An ice Cuber adapted to form ice cubes on an ice cake and comprising a one-piece substantially pan-shaped body having an open end, a plate in said body spaced from the open end thereof and cooperating therewith to provide a tank, said body having a portion thereon at one on said body at one corner thereof, said inclined wall having an opening therein through which a fluid heating medium may be introduced into said tank, removable means for closing said opening, and partitions extending between opposite walls of said body outwardly of said plate and cooperating with each other and said walls to provide a cube forming grid, said partitions being joined to said i plate and said walls to afiord efficient heat transference therethrough from the heating medium in the tank to an ice cake when the free edges of said partitions are rested on the ice cake, said walls also serving to transfer heat from said fluid heating medium to said ice cake when the free edges of said walls are rested on the'ice cake along with the free edges of said partitions, selected of said walls having openings therein to equalize the heat transference through said walls and said partitions to thereby insure proper operation of said cuber, opposite walls of said body having outwardly opening grooves therein to facilitate gripping of the cuber and expedite installation on and removal of the cuber from an ice cake.

8. An ice cuber adapted to form ice cubes on an ice cake and comprising a one-piece substantially pan-shaped body having an open end, a plate in said body spaced from the open end thereof and cooperating therewith to provide a tank, said body having an opening therein through which a fluid heating medium may be introduced into said tank, and partitions extending between opposite walls of said body outwardly of said plate and cooperating with each other and said walls to provide a cube forming grid, said partitions being intimately connected to said plate to insure heat transference through said grid to an ice cake from the fluid heating medium in the tank when said grid is rested on the ice cake, opposite walls of said body having outwardly opening grooves therein to facilitate gripping of the cuber and expedite installation on and removal of the cuber from an ice cake.

9. An ice cuber adapted to form ice cubes on an ice cake and comprising a one-piece substantially pan-shaped body having an open end, a plate in said body spaced from the open end thereof and cooperating therewith to provide a tank, said body having a portion thereon at one corner thereof inclined relative to the adjacent walls of said body at said corner to thereby provide an inclined wall on said body at one corner thereof, said inclined Wall having an opening therein through which a fluid heating medium may be introduced into said tank, removable means for closing said opening, and partitions extending between opposite walls of saidbody outwardly of said plate and cooperating with each other and said walls to provide a cube forming grid, said partitions being intimately connected to said plate to insure heat transference through said grid to an ice cake from the fluid heating medium in the tank when said grid is rested on the ice cake, opposite walls of said body having outwardly opening grooves therein to facilitate gripping of the cuber and expedite installation on and removal of the cuber from an ice cake.

WILLIAM J. LA CASSE. 

